Michelle Obama to head Democratic fundraiser in San Francisco

By By Michael A. Memoli

Sep 11, 2013 | 5:00 AM

First Lady Michelle Obama, shown during a speaking appearance last week in Washington, will headline a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser next month in San Francisco. (Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON -- First Lady Michelle Obama will headline a San Francisco fundraiser next month to benefit congressional Democrats' campaign arm, an early foray into the midterm campaign for one of the party's top surrogates.

Obama will join House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi for the "Women's Brunch" on Oct. 13 at the Fairmont Hotel, according to an invitation obtained by the Los Angeles Times.

Ticket prices range from $500 for one seat to $32,000 for a couple including VIP reception.

Obama has attended fundraising events this year for the Democratic National Committee, Virginia gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe and Ed Markey, who won a special election race for Senate in Massachusetts.

But the event marks the first for House Democrats ahead of the 2014 election. The party would probably need to gain 17 seats to reclaim a majority in the House for the first time since 2011, a herculean task.

President Obama has committed to at least eight fundraising events for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the first of which also took place in San Francisco in April.

The committee has enjoyed a successful fundraising year so far, bringing in $45.2 million through the most recent reporting period - $6 million more than its Republican counterpart.